Rub A Dub Dub (Indesit WN 850 WG)

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Product:	Indesit WN 850 WG
Date:	26/04/01 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable

Disadvantages: None so far

My Bendix washer eventually gave up the ghost after 17 years of absolutely trouble free service in almost daily use, so it fell to me to replace it, but the price was beyond my means at the time so I had to settle for something less expensive. So considering the use that the new machine would have, I opted for a washing machine with just basic controls and no whistles and bells. After all who needs them? All I wanted is a machine that would wash cool, warm and hot and rinse and spin. I work on the principle that the less complex the machine the less there is to go wrong.

I chose the Indesit WN 850 WG because it would fit neatly in the space in my kitchen, had a reasonable selection of wash programmes, was hot and cold fill and had a spin speed of 1,000 rpm and most importantly only cost £250. So in February 1992 I made my purchase from Comet and managed to fend off their insistent salesman’s patter about taking out a service contract. They don’t give up do they? Well he did when I pointed out to him that unless he stopped prattling on about a service contract there would be no sale at all, as I turned and headed for the door. His change was instantaneous. He even loaded the washer into my car for me.

I took the machine home in the back of my Sierra hatchback and on unpacking it, clear water spilled out. Not a great deal but enough to have me on the phone querying why a brand new machine exuded water? I was assured by the manager that the odd machine was tested in house and the clear water exuding from it was the residue of the test. Not totally convinced I thoroughly inspected the machine for signs of it being in proper use but could find nothing.

As an aside, I know for a fact that when an item is returned and exchanged the ‘faulty’ item is repaired and put back in stock for the next sucker, sorry I mean customer, to buy.

This machine needs a floor space of two feet square and stands less than three feet h
igh and needs a level floor to stand on, although the washer does have adjustable front feet to ensure that it is installed level. It is very important to have the machine level otherwise it puts undue strain on the drum bearings especially during the spin cycle and the increased vibration will have the machine dashing around the kitchen. It is just as important to read the instruction booklet that comes with the machine and to follow the instructions on removing the bolts and spacers that keep the drum from bouncing around in transit. Leave them in place and the chances are that you will need to buy a new machine.

Once the hot and cold pipes had been connected (you need something like Mawlgrips to ensure that they are tightened firmly with the supplied rubber washer in place) and the waste water pipe had been connected, the machine is ready for use.

A simple rotary control allows the user to select what type of wash to set and a three-compartment drawer allows the user to pour in pre-wash detergent, main wash detergent and fabric conditioner. The only other control is the on off switch.

It will take 11 lbs of dry clothes for a normal wash but it is recommended that only 5 lbs of dry clothes is loaded for a delicate cycle. The door is locked firmly into place and is not released until one minute after the machine has been either switched off or completed its cycle. Saves little, and not so little, fingers getting tangled up with the clothes as they go round.

With the advent of warm wash detergents the machine will only take in cold water and heat it up to the required 40º C, so being a hot and cold fill machine was, in hindsight, a bit of a waste. Even on the 60º C cycle it still only takes in cold water.

In the first four years of use it was doing its stuff every other day and in the last five years, having got rid of all the kids, it gets used about six times a month and it is still going strong with not a hint of a pro
blem, not even the door seal.

This particular model may not be on the market any more but Indesit have other models and if this one is anything to go by then they will be a very good buy. When this machine dies and it does before I do, I will certainly be looking to stay with the manufacturer.

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